WHSmith Community Grant (UK)

Voluntary organisations, charities schools and pre-schools can apply for grants of up to £500 from the WHSmith Trust. The WHSmith Trust is an independent registered charity that uses the proceeds of the compulsory carrier bag charges across the UK to offer the grants to support good causes in the local communities where WHSmith operates.

There are two application rounds each year. The deadline for the current funding round is the 31st March 2017. The next deadline will be the 30th September 2017. Read more at: https://blog.whsmith.co.uk/community-grants-application/

Grants for small-scale projects in rural Hampshire

Two schemes to specifically help rural areas are being run by Hampshire County Council: the Rural Retailers and Community Enterprises Grant, and the Community Challenge Fund.

There are grants of up to £20,000 available under the Rural Retailers and Community Enterprises Grant Scheme. The scheme has been set up to provide financial support to help rural retailers grow, increase their productivity and provide new services, as well as encourage the development of both new and existing community enterprises which have a retail element.

Groups can also apply for grants of up to £5,000 under the Community Challenge Fund.

Communities interested in the grants should contact Jennie Pell (jennie.pell@hants.gov.uk ) or Emily Preston (emily.preston@hants.gov.uk ) on 01962 846571.

Other Hampshire County Council grant schemes of interest to rural communities include: the Small Grants Scheme Countryside Access; the Community Buildings Fund and the Community Transport Grant and the Valuing Hampshire Communities Grant.

Tesco Bags of Help

The Tesco Bags of Help grant is now up and running. The money raised from the 5p bag charge in Tesco stores in England, Wales and Scotland is being used to pay for a large number of local projects to improve green spaces in communities. Projects that will get the green light as a result of the funding will include building new pocket parks, sports facilities, woodland walks and community gardens.

http://www.groundwork.org.uk/Sites/tescocommunityscheme 

The WHSmith Trust

The WHSmith Trust is an independent registered charity that aims to support good causes in the local communities where WHSmith operates, and also to promote literacy and a love of reading.

With the introduction of the new WHSmith Community Grants, the WHSmith Trust is now offering grants of up to £500 to voluntary organisations and schools from the proceeds of the compulsory carrier bag levies across the UK.

Grants are awarded every six months to charities, schools and community groups of any size, provided they support the community in the UK.

The following community groups may apply for WHSmith Community Grants:

•             Registered or Exempt Charities

•             Voluntary/Community Groups (constituted)

•             Schools and pre-schools

To apply for a Community Grant, fill out the application on the WH Smith website.       

There are two annual application rounds – 1 October to 3 March, and 1 April to 30 September. At the end of each six month period, grant applications are reviewed and grants issued.

https://blog.whsmith.co.uk/community-grants-application/ 

Support your community shop and post office

Grants are now available from the Post Office to help eligible community post offices with ‘Community Status’ bring wider benefits to their community.

If you have creative ideas that could support your community shop and post office to grow, and to bring greater benefits to Post Office customers, you could be eligible for a grant to put your ideas into action. Post Office Outreach and Satellite branches may also be eligible for grants. The grants are available for branches that have been given ‘Community Status’, and have received a letter from Post Office Ltd to confirm this.

The fund can be used for a wide range of improvements such as changing the branch format or signage or gearing up for new services such as Click and Collect. It could be something as simple as reminding people of your operating times, encouraging people to drop by or providing an environment for your post office that encourages people to stay longer.

If you’re unsure about whether your community post office is eligible, Plunkett can help you to find out, and we can also support you or your Postmaster to complete an application form and chat about any potential ideas you may have. You can call Aimee Evans at Plunkett on 01993 810730 or visit http://www.postofficecommunityfund.co.uk/ to find out more about the Post Office Community Branch Fund.

Grants for Wiltshire Groups

Do you need funding for your group?

Our challenge is to make a positive change in Wiltshire and Swindon by helping local groups make life better for their communities. We want to help you to support those who need it most.

You can apply grants for project or core costs and overheads for:

Foundation Grants

Apply for up to £5,000 a year for up to three years’ funding. Funding will go to projects where the majority of people who will benefit, experience disadvantage either economically, socially, geographically or physically. Expression of interest closes on 1st October 2015.

The Office of Police & Crime Commissioner Grants

Apply for up to £3,000 for one year’s funding. Applications are welcomed from groups who seek to bring communities together to tackle local issues around anti-social behaviour, crime, drug and alcohol related crime, reducing re-offending, violence against women and girls or youth crime. Expression of interest closes on 28th August 2015.

Comic Relief Small Grants

Grants available up to around £1,000-2,000 to support work where there is clear evidence of a sustained beneficial impact on people’s lives who are excluded or disadvantaged through low income, rural or social isolation, age, disabilities, race, sexuality or gender. Priority is to be given to small, locally based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community and are undertaking actions as a means of addressing these needs. Available in 2016.

Foundation Small Grants

Up to £1,000 available all year round for groups starting up or for smaller projects and items of equipment.

Visit our website at www.wiltshirecf.org.uk for more information and click on the ‘Apply’ menu. The first step is to fill in an ‘Expression of Interest’ survey and the link for this can be found underneath the listing of our criteria. If you meet our criteria we will send you a link for an online application form.
Call us on 01380 729284 or email info@wiltshirecf.org.uk to find out more about how we can help. This information is valid until end of October 2015.

Grants for Places of Worship

The Heritage Lottery Fund has grants of £10,000-£250,000 available for Grade I and Grade II listed places of worship in England to fund urgent structural repairs and help to make them better places for everyone to visit. As part of the repair project, HLF can also fund improvements to facilities and work that helps more people get involved with these buildings.

Applications go through a two-round process so applicants can apply at an early project stage and get an idea of whether you're likely to receive a grant. The next deadline for applications is 17th November 2015.

Read more at: http://www.hlf.org.uk/looking-funding/our-grant-programmes/grants-places-worship-england

First Steps Community Funding

First Steps gives small community groups the freedom to develop action plans to improve their neighbourhood.

First Steps areas will receive support to decide upon practical actions to make positive changes in their community.

http://mycommunity.org.uk/programme/first-steps/?_a=funding

Grants - new woodland capital grants are now open for applications.

The new woodland capital grants are now open for applications. They cover three areas:

Woodland Creation - Deadline for 1st stage application: 30th April 2015
Areas to be planted must be over 3ha. Smaller blocks over 1ha might be considered where it would improve water quality or flood risk.  Some woodland managers will then be able to apply for a 10 year maintenance plan under Countryside Stewardship.

Woodland Management Plan - Deadline: 30th June 2015
This is essential for future applications if you wish to apply for Countryside Stewardship, Countryside Productivity Scheme (in certain situations) and will also be needed for any EWGS first claims after 1st  April 2015 and any EWGS claims after the first of January 2016, except for creation. You need to use the FC management plan template and have over 3ha of woodland on your holding in order to receive a grant.  There is a minimum grant of £1000.  There is also an unfunded small management template, that can be used for any woodlands under 10 hectares.

Plant Health - Deadline: 30th June 2015
There are grants to remove diseased plants and to restock.  These are available to people who have already had a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN) or who have had Chalara confirmed on their holding.

You can find the latest information from Defra on their website:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/cap-reform-february-2015-update.

You will need to register online with the RPA to obtain a customer reference number, allowing you to submit applications and claim grant payments.   Forms will need to be sent to the Forestry Commission by post or email before the deadline.

If you are applying for Woodland Creation Grants, you are advised to contact your local woodland officer as soon as you can, after submitting your application to give plenty of time for advice and site visits. Your woodland officer will need to make a site visit and discuss your plans and you will then need to submit a final version by 31st May 2015. Useful information you should find helpful in preparing your application can be found at:  www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/BEEH-9SZH46 

Upcoming grants

In the February update from Defra, you will also find more information about the Countryside Productivity Scheme and Countryside Stewardship. Capital grants under Countryside Productivity are due to open imminently and they will include small scale forestry processing and wood harvesting and extraction. They are focussed around improving productivity, efficiency and innovation and are similar to the old FFIS grants. There will be a small grant scheme for projects between £2,500 and £35,000 and a large grant scheme for projects requiring over £35,000; they will cover up to 40% of costs.
There is a contact list to keep people informed about the new Countryside Productivity Scheme grants when they open. If you would like to be added to that list, please contact Kate Tobin, South West Forestry Commission, kate.tobin@forestry.gsi.gov.uk  with your name, business name, phone number, address and email and the nature of the investment you might like to make. You can also keep an eye on the official Cap Reform blog for the latest updates.

Tree Health Newsletter

The Forestry Commission has launched a new Tree Health update.  This publication has been created due to the high demand for regular pest and disease updates from the sector, for the sector, and will be published three times a year, with both national and regional content. Tree Health News was initially trialled last December in the North West and West Midlands and has received extremely positive feedback.  This trial edition can be found here. If you would like to sign up to receive this update use the following link. The first issue will be sent to you in March. We would really value your feedback on the e-newsletter and your ideas on what else you would like it to cover.  Please feel free to pass on to your own contacts and networks.  http://eepurl.com/beqnEP

Events - 2015

Renewable Energy Marketplace: 21st April 2015

The FC will be at the Renewable Energy Marketplace run by Regen SW on Tuesday 21st April at Westpoint Arena, near Exeter, between 10am and 4pm. This is the biggest energy efficiency exhibition in the South West, with 100 companies attending, showcasing smart energy solutions and plenty of talks and demonstrations. This will be a great chance to find out more about renewable heat and woodfuel supply chains. They have also offered us a discount code giving a 20% discount off the price of an exhibition or conference ticket. The discount code is ‘Forest’ and can be applied here: www.renewableenergymarketplace.co.uk

Other events

Royal Cornwall Show
 4th 5th  & 6th  June
 Wadebridge

ConFor Woodland Show
 10th & 11th  September
 Longleat

Tree Health events
 October: dates tbc
 2 SW locations

Grants for community playing fields

Places People Play - Protecting Playing Fields

Grants are available to organisations for capital projects which develop, improve and sustain playing fields for communities.

Closing Date: 09 February 2015 (5pm)
Value: Minimum £10,000 maximum £100,000

Application and further information:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the self-assessment checklist before beginning an application. Completed applications must be submitted online along with any supporting documents. Alternatively, supporting documents can be sent by email.

For further information, and link to apply, see:
http://www.sportengland.org/funding/our-different-funds/protecting-playing-fields/

Latest Funding Opportunities

Roof repairs to listed places of worship

£15million fund for urgent roof repairs to listed places of worship Congregations across the UK responsible for looking after listed places of worship can apply for money to address urgent roof repairs to ensure these historic buildings are weathertight, safe and open for use.
Organisations, trusts and congregations of all faiths and denominations can apply for a grant from £10,000 to £100,000 to meet the costs of urgent repairs to roofs and rainwater disposal systems. Limited funding can also be provided for structural investigations; specialist reports and bat surveys.
To be eligible for funding buildings must be listed and used for public worship. Places of worship that have received a previous repair grant from English Heritage, Historic Scotland, Cadw, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, the Heritage Lottery Fund and/or other Lottery distributor, and where that project is not yet finished, are not eligible to apply.

There is only one opportunity to apply to The Listed Places of Worship: Roof Repair Fund. The closing date for applications is noon, Friday 30 January 2015. Decisions will be announced in March 2015. Further information on how to apply can be found at http://www.lpowroof.org.uk/ 

National Churches Trust Community Grant Scheme (UK)

The National Churches Trust has announced that its Community Grant scheme will re-open for applications on the 12th January 2015. The National Churches Trust was formed to fund, protect and support the built heritage of 47,000 churches, chapels and meeting houses throughout the UK. Through the Community Grants scheme, grants of £5,000 and above are available for projects which introduce facilities to enable increased community use of places of worship. The Community Programme considers applications from listed and unlisted Christian places of worship of any age and denomination that open regularly for public worship. Grants are available towards capital works such as additions and extensions, and the introduction of facilities, such as accessible toilets and catering facilities. Projects must have an estimated cost of at least £25,000 (including VAT and fees) to qualify. Read more at: http://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/our-grants/community-grants

War Memorials Grant Scheme (England)

English Heritage and the Wolfson Foundation, in association with Friends of War Memorials, are providing grants for the repair and conservation of free-standing war memorials in England. These grants are intended to help those who are responsible for the upkeep of war memorials. The grants support the care and preservation of war memorials to a high standard, and to prevent the decay of this important part of our built heritage. Grants will normally be for up to a maximum of 75% of eligible costs, with a maximum grant of £30,000.

The minimum grant that can be applied for is £3,000. The next closing date for applications is the 5th January 2015. Read more at: http://www.warmemorials.org/grantsforwarmemorials/

Big Lottery Fund Awards for All Webinars

Webinars to take place every Thursday at 3pm and include guidance on eligibility criteria and how to best evidence the need and impact of your project. Also hints and tips on how to put together an application including outcomes, which you can link directly to the questions on the application form.
http://southwestforum.org.uk/sites/default/files/sitefiles/docs/a4a_webinars.pdf

Community Shops demonstrate that buying local really does exist

Wren Shop East Knoyle

There were 309 community shops trading at the end of 2013 an increase of 6% over the year. Like for like sales growth was 1.9%. Most shops are in the south and southwest. 95% of shops which were open in 1992 are still in business. The majority of community shops have chosen to register as an Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) for the Benefit of the Community. Turnover ranged from £6,500 to £1,103, 653. Sales increased by 1.9% in 2013 - better than the supermarkets! 65% of shops were run both by paid staff and volunteers. 70% of shops had postal services.
The Plunkett Foundation

Wylye Valley celebrates 100 years with local history society

The AONB was originally approached by this small local history society, a sub-group of the very active Codford Local History Society, as they wanted to work with the AONB to produce materials that helped document the military activity between Longbridge Deverill and Codford circa 1914-1919. 

The Study

Several very good books had already been published about the Codford area at the time of the First World War. The history group wanted to commemorate the centenary of the start of the Great War in 1914, 100 years on in the summer of 2014 and the sudden dramatic social and practical effects this had on the local Wiltshire population.

The arrival of the overwhelming numbers of troops signaled the end of the old peacetime era. Turmoil hit the villages which never resumed their original social posture. This study seeks to reveal the changes that occurred, to uncover the views of the local people, and of the soldiers towards them. All ages are involved and the group has been very active in the support of local school children which will all culminate with a great calendar of events over the period of the Centenary in 2014.

Think about it

The Wiltshire villages involved are: Longbridge Deverill, Sutton Veny, Heytesbury, Corton, Boyton, Upton Lovell and Codford. Many farm horses were requisitioned at harvest time (and young soldiers helped); local men flocked to the colours and left the area; tents were all very fine till the rains came (no floors and floods and mud were the norm). How to organise the feeding (no spoons!), accommodation (not enough tents), medical care (one village doctor), command (scarcely any officers or NCOs), training and a thousand other aspects: this is our topic. We need your help.

Your part in it

Please explore their web site which showcases a host of activities occurring in the area during July and August. The showcase will be the weekend of activities on July 26th and 27th where the interpretive display map of 8m x 3m will be on display along with other activities such as a short film, photographs and models. www.wylyevalley1914.org.uk  

How did we go about it?

We are proud to have supported this local group both through SDF funding and through our GIS wizard Harry Bell's expertise who compiled the digitised map along with the help of Emma at Wyvern Heritage, and Richard Broadway.

After relevant 1920's black and white OS digital map tiles were purchased, work began on digitising the location of the camps and associated huts, tents, military hospitals and railways.

In addition to the many hours spent digitising information from paper copies, it was decided that the OS backdrop was a bit bland, and the rivers, roads and woodlands/marsh features were painstakingly coloured in as well.

An extract of the final poster is below. The map info layers are available to anyone upon request (excluding the OS maps). It is interesting to switch from the map in Mapinfo into Google Earth as it really brings the information alive, and if overlaid onto aerial photography some of the features on the ground such as ditches and roads can still be seen.

The final display map is printed on cloth and includes photographs and commentary that demonstrates how the military used this area as a military base with hospitals and training grounds covering iro 20miles square.

 

New funding website for local Wiltshire area

New Website for Funding Database for Wiltshire & Swindon Now Available www.wsfunding.org.uk supported by The Community Foundation for Wiltshire & Swindon www.wscf.org.uk

War Memorials Grant Scheme (England)

English Heritage and the Wolfson Foundation, in association with Friends of War Memorials, are providing grants for the repair and conservation of free-standing war memorials in England. These grants are intended to help those who are responsible for the upkeep of war memorials. The grants are designed to support the care and preservation of war memorials to a high standard, and to prevent the decay of this important part of our built heritage. Grants will normally be for up to a maximum of 75% of eligible costs, with a maximum grant of £30,000. The next closing date for applications is the 30th June 2014. Read more at: http://www.warmemorials.org/grantsforwarmemorials/

Support for Neighbourhood Planning (England)

The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced that the next funding round for the Neighbourhood Planning grants scheme will open on the 1st April 2014.

The Neighbourhood Planning scheme supports groups developing neighbourhood plans in two ways. These are direct support - advice and support, tailored to meet the needs of supported neighbourhoods; and grant payments of up to £7,000 per neighbourhood area, to contribute to costs incurred by the group preparing a neighbourhood plan or order.

Support is available to town and parish councils, neighbourhood forums and emerging neighbourhood forums preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan. The Department is particularly keen to support groups that are under represented on the programme for example neighbourhood forums and areas that rank highly in the indicators of deprivation.

The first stage of the application process is to complete the eligibility checker to find out if your group is eligible for direct and/or grant support. Successful applicants will be invited to complete a full application form. Read more at: http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/neighbourhood-planning/

Grants to make your community building lean and green

Faye Perkins posted: "Grants to make your community building lean and green Does your community centre cost a fortune to run? Are you concerned about your village hall’s carbon footprint? Local groups in the Midlands, the South West and South Wales can now apply for grants"

Does your community centre cost a fortune to run? Are you concerned about your village hall’s carbon footprint? Local groups in the Midlands, the South West and South Wales can now apply for grants of up to £1,000 to help reduce energy use in their community buildings. The WPD Community Chest is a grant scheme funded by Western Power Distribution (WPD) and administered by CSE.

A total of £50,000 is up for grabs. The aim is to help community groups carry out simple but effective energy efficiency improvements in village halls and community buildings, after carrying out their own energy audits. The maximum award per group will be £1,000, but you can apply for less than this. Perhaps your community building needs insulation, a new heating system, lighting sensors, double glazing or more efficient taps? 

We'll provide groups with an energy survey template so that they can walk around their building and assess what most needs doing. Then they just need to get some quotes for having those improvements done, and send back a short application form. Don’t miss out, go to: http://www.cse.org.uk/news/view/1814

Join us for launch of Chalke Valley Business Initiative 27/02/14

Sell Tickets Online through Eventbrite

FUNDING: Starter for 10 Programme for Creatives

Creative England is pleased to announce that due to popular demand this year’s Starter for 10 programme is no longer solely restricted to businesses under two years old. If you’re a creative business based in the South West and you have an idea for an innovative new product or service, you have until 23 February to submit an application form.

If your application is shortlisted, you will be given the opportunity to pitch your idea to a prestigious panel of judges who will select the 10 best ideas to receive a £10,000 grant and a comprehensive package of business support.

To qualify, businesses must be an SME operating within the sectors of digital, web and interactive, mobile and app, social media, TV or marketing.

If this isn’t you but you know a business that may be interested please do forward this on to them. Hurry, the deadline is fast approaching!

For more information and details of how to apply please visit www.starterfor10.biz

Starter for 10 is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and managed by Creative England.

The Tree Council’s Community Trees Fund 2014 now open

The  Community Trees Fund is part of the Tree Futures grant programme.

This grant fund is open to Community Groups, both formal and ad hoc, within the United Kingdom.

You must ensure that children aged up to sixteen are included in the planting project.

If you would like to plant any fruit trees, please look at the information about the  Orchard Windfalls Fund.

Deadline is March 31^st. National Tree Week is Nov 29^th.